58 thoughts on “Today’s Irony Twofer”

Irony three-fer: you blurred out your street address, presumably so as not to reveal it, but then told us you’re in the phone book, and left your town, state, and full ZIP code (including 4-digit suffix) visible. So “they” would be anyone who reads your blog.

They played the same trick a few years ago by custom printing each cover of a certain issue of their magazine in the same fashion. For me, it was more interesting as an example of customizing publications on a per issue basis and made a great conversation piece when I went on my next press check. Yours is a great example of what happens when there is a disconnect in the databases.

Just so you know, because I wouldn’t want to advertise this myself. But, there is enough info on that map to very quickly locate this exact image in Google. The zip code and cemetery are the real queue.

Took less than 3 minutes. I say this as a concern, like I said, me as a nobody would not want this level of information out there. You as a well known author probably wouldn’t either.

I’m just curious: who are they, that know where you are (besides Reason)? And what is Reason magazine? I mean, beyond the wikipedia answer “a libertarian monthly journal.” Is it like a Time or Newsweek with specific political bent? Collection of editorial style opinion pieces? I guess I have no real frame of reference here.

Solicitations for something I’m already paying for has bugged me ever since I got hit up for alumni donations when I was in grad school at the same institution from which I got my undergraduate degree.

Also, I have discovered that the once place that is allowed to harass you with phone solicitations is THE PHONE COMPANY.

Matthew Ernest@19: I give you one better (or worse): when my Dad died, Mom kept the phone in his name for awhile (there was so much else to do). Then the CEMETERY HE WAS BURIED IN sent us a marketing flier ADDRESSED TO HIM. Mom was incensed. Just ’round the bend. She called them up and pointed out which plot he was in – they took us off the mailing list.

In fairness, the issue in which they originally did this stunt had pretty balanced coverage of why yes, people are probably able to assemble more information about you than you might think; but no, it’s probably no reason to panic and in some ways is a good thing. More balanced, in fact, than most other coverage of the privacy debate that I’ve seen elsewhere.

Now, now. This is nothing compared to the postcard received by my (formerly) male cat a few years ago:

“Dear Hunter:

It’s now time for your pet’s feline castration. Please call to schedule….”

That’s right. The vet sent the cat a postcard reminding him of his appointment to have his little kitty manliness snipped off. Beyond the whole “you’re telling him it’s time for WHAT?” factor, I’ve always wondered why the vet thought the cat could read….

Um, wow, Mr. Scalzi really has an iron fortitude. What Libertarian would not be freaked out by such a personal, creepy (and apparently incompetent) sales pitch? A picture of my (neighbor’s) house? I see the nihilist Republicans are not the only ones prone to using a fear factor (minus Joe Rogan) to proselytize.
@Bill the S[p]lut, what’s a matter with John Stossel? And this after we just had a lesson about using mustachios to fight crime. Wake up, smell the muck and grab a rake, partner.

Matthew @ 19 – I got 3 sales-pitch calls from Bell on 3 consecutive days a few weeks ago (exact same offer each time, by the way), and finally told them if they can’t even keep proper track of who they’ve already called, please take me off their promotions list.

They agreed … don’t know whether that means the law’s different here in Canada, or if it was just recognition that these days there’s lots of companies wanting my phone business. Considering I’ve stuck with Bell for nearly 50 years now, I suspect maybe they’ve actually got (barely) enough brains to recognize and respect customer loyalty.

His comments have been serif for a bit. Font is Cambria, then Georgia (the browser will try Cambria first). No bolding on the style. I suspect a font issue on your end Cassie… or at least a confused browser.

> it’s my neighbors, so if “they” go looking for me there, man, won’t the Harshbargers be surprised!
From past descriptions, your neighbors strike me as both prepared and competent people. I’m betting that the Harshbargers will surprise “them” first. (Bonus points/humor for using household implements or gardening equipment to deliver said surprise.)

No, today is distinctly different in style on my screen than the day before yesterday, when my internet service went down. I’ve never seen John either in serif or in boldface; today he is. Vagaries of browsers works as an explanation if our esteemed host hasn’t been mucking about in the system.

I humbly submit that anyone who has seen the cover of the original version of Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded – or the Photoshopped likeness of our host emblazoned thereupon – has indeed seen John in serif and boldface.

I am also a member of the “wrong house” in the map programs club. Which is great, b/c it means anyone trying to bomb my house by using google will miss. Luckily for my neighbors, Google thinks my house is on the pond across the street.

The biggest Irony here is that Reason Magazine is using an intrusive form of marketing, made possible by your easily-discovered home address, to warn you of the possibility of someone using your easily-discovered home address for some nefarious end, like, I dunno, sending you direct marketing offers.